Author Topic: CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER WITH HEATER BUDDY (Read 2315 times) Tweet Share

SHANEA · « **on:** January 28, 2010, 11:10:48 AM »

A heater buddy that I had on the front porch yesterday evening threatened to burn down my house.

It was connected to a bulk propane container using the Heater Buddy propane connector tubing.

Fortunately, I was there when it "failed" and was able to get the bulk propane turned off before it exploded - propane gas filled the air. It's an open air porch.

I sent an inquiry to Mr. Heater yesterday and again today, but have not heard anything back.

Mind you, I have used this device in R2D2 my pop up camper when out at BIBE in the wilds and also in a TENT

- never ever again!

Yes, I checked the connection after it was turned off and it was correctly seated and tight.

From the www.mrheater.com website at http://www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41

Quote

Buddy Heaters
The latest evolution in powerful and portable Heat is here!
* Emergency Heat
* Tents/Campers
* Workshops/Job Sites
* Porches/Patios/Decks
* Garages/Storage Buildings
* Picnic/Tailgate Parties
* Construction Trailers
* Sporting Events
* Barns/Sheds
* Hunting Blinds
* Shelters
* Ice Fishing Shanties

I've posted a few pics here and also at Kodak Gallery. http://tinyurl.com/shanea-heater-buddy-failure

I've also sent a link to Mr. Heater to Big Bend Chat.

Terlingua50337 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:22:15 AM »

I've got one just like it but I've never hooked it up to anything other than the 1 pound bottles. Wonder what went wrong?

SHANEA · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:29:11 AM »

Quote from: Terlingua50337 on January 28, 2010, 11:22:15 AM

I've got one just like it but I've never hooked it up to anything other than the 1 pound bottles. Wonder what went wrong?

Not a clue.

But, I'm extremely pleased to report that I just got off the blower with Mr. Heater, really nice chap, and they are arranging to pick it up and take it in to see what failed and send me another unit and hose. I'm very impressed with the response from them. Very impressed. Chap said that although it didn't cause this incident, a special filter should be used when coming off of bulk propane to prevent damage by oils to the unit.

SHANEA · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:31:33 AM »

Quote from: Terlingua50337 on January 28, 2010, 11:22:15 AM

I've got one just like it but I've never hooked it up to anything other than the 1 pound bottles. Wonder what went wrong?

One pound bottles are so expensive compared to bulk and since they can't be "legally" refilled, they are not good on the environment. I notice that Coleman now has more "environmentally friendly" bottles. I have a T device for the bulk propane and hoses that I use on lanterns, stoves, etc. Also, watch out, if you buy the "exchange" program on propane at various liveries, often times you don't get a full bottle - they sell less instead of having to charge more. I have my own bulk propane containers so I always get them filled at the source...

bdann · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:36:54 AM »

Whoa. Definitely report back their findings, I was about to purchase one of these heaters.

Undertaker · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:45:48 AM »

Have their forced kerosene, never had any problems, would never use any heater of this type in tent (no flames), but then again I do have a very warm sleeping bag. Do report their findings.

Terlingua50337 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2010, 11:47:27 AM »

True enough about the 1 pound bottles but a 20 pounder is pretty tough to carry around. I've had my heater now for 3 years I think, never a problem. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

SHANEA · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2010, 01:23:45 PM »

Quote from: Terlingua50337 on January 28, 2010, 11:47:27 AM

True enough about the 1 pound bottles but a 20 pounder is pretty tough to carry around. I've had my heater now for 3 years I think, never a problem. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Five Pounder -Weight: 9.85 lbs. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/5-lb-cylinder/16069

Eleven Pounder - Weight:14.85 lbs. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/11-lb-cylinder/16070

Robert · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2010, 01:45:04 PM »

I got one of the little tanks at REI several years ago. It doesn't look like they carry them anymore. We use it for car camping to power the stove. But for a week long trip we either have to refill it or take some of the disposable tanks.

I get it refilled at the local propane company and get a few laughs every time I take it in. Once they even filled it for free because it was "too small to mess with". Initially I was concerned about the price of the tank since it cost more than a tank that holds 4-5 times as much. But over time I think it pays for itself when compared to the cost of the small disposable tanks.

SHANEA · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:01:46 PM »

Quote from: Robert on January 28, 2010, 01:45:04 PM

But over time I think it pays for itself when compared to the cost of the small disposable tanks.

and it keeps empty tanks out of the landfills! Environmentally friendly.

WL2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:34:47 PM »

Coleman makes a portable water heater that uses 1# bottles and I have seen one of those catch fire. It had the disposable bottle attached.

Doc Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2010, 12:16:29 PM »

Went on a camping trip with our offroad club once. Just as we had got to bed, a family came in late and setup next to our tent. He had brought a 20lb gas tank with a hose connected to a heater in their tent. Evidentatly the hose was dry rotted and started leaking and caught fire. I heard the wife run the kids out of the tent and the husband hitting the fire trying to put it out. All the while the wife was yelling "are you OK" Husband "fine" whap, whap, whap, "fine just turn off the propane" whap, whap, whap. They ended up with a hole in the bottom of the tent and in one of the sleeping bags.

Robert

SHANEA · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2010, 03:29:27 PM »

Quote from: Doc Savage on February 03, 2010, 12:16:29 PM

Went on a camping trip with our offroad club once. Just as we had got to bed, a family came in late and setup next to our tent. He had brought a 20lb gas tank with a hose connected to a heater in their tent. Evidentatly the hose was dry rotted and started leaking and caught fire. I heard the wife run the kids out of the tent and the husband hitting the fire trying to put it out. All the while the wife was yelling "are you OK" Husband "fine" whap, whap, whap, "fine just turn off the propane" whap, whap, whap. They ended up with a hole in the bottom of the tent and in one of the sleeping bags.

Robert

Heaterbuddy picked my unit up via pony express on Friday. Waiting to hear back from them and receive a new unit and new hose - the hose was brand new and had only been used once before this incident.

PacingTheCage · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2010, 03:41:32 PM »

You are fortunate. My neighbors house burned to the ground 3 weeks ago. They were using one of these on their sun porch to keep the plants warm. They got out with their lives and the clothes on their backs.

SHANEA · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2010, 09:16:58 PM »

Quote from: PacingTheCage on February 03, 2010, 03:41:32 PM

You are fortunate. My neighbors house burned to the ground 3 weeks ago. They were using one of these on their sun porch to keep the plants warm. They got out with their lives and the clothes on their backs.

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